CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON

                                                             

RESOLUTION NO. 211

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON OPPOSING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSAL TO INCREASE BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION’S ELECTRIC RATES TO NATIONAL POWER MARKET PRICES.

 

            WHEREAS, About 70 percent of the electricity consumed in the state of Washington is BPA power, which today is sold at cost of production rates; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Bush Administration's Fiscal Year 2006 budget would increase the rates of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to average wholesale market rates until they are roughly the same as rates being charged elsewhere in national power markets; and

 

            WHEREAS, the proposed 65-percent increase in the price of electricity sold by Bonneville translates to an average 39-percent increase in the rates paid by consumers or a $24 a month increase; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Northwest has already suffered staggering power rate hikes in recent years--a result of the Western energy crisis and the market manipulation of Enron and others; and

 

            WHEREAS, this equates to a $1.7 billion dollar tax hike on Washington state over the next three years according to analysis by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

 

            Section 1.  That the City Council supports fair and equitable energy rates for all citizens of Washington State.

 

            Section 2.  That the City of Burien is vehemently opposed to the Bush Administration’s proposal to unfairly burden the citizens of Washington State with exorbitant electric rate increases.

 

            Section 3.  That the City Council urges Congress to join forces with Senator Cantwell to oppose the Administration’s unfair proposal to increase BPA electric rates.

 

Section 4.  Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage by the Burien City Council.

 

            ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF THIS 7TH DAY OF MARCH, 2005.

 

 

CITY OF BURIEN

/s/ Noel Gibb, Mayor

 

ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:

/s/ Janice Roegner, City Clerk

 

Approved as to form:

/s/ Lisa Marshall, City Attorney

 

Filed with the City Clerk: March 2, 2005

Passed by the City Council: March 7, 2005

Resolution No. 211